Toothpick.



UNITED STATES Patented October 6, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

TOOTH PICK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 740,586, dated October6, 1903.

Application filed August 1,1902. Serial No. 117,941. (No model.)

'To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Beit known that LJOEAN ABRAHAM OHLs- SON, a subject of the King ofSweden and Norway, and a resident of Brooklyn, in the county of Kingsand State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Toothpicks, of which the following is aspeciiicatiou. Y

This invention relates to toothpicks; and the object oi' the presentimprovement is to provide a `toothpick in which the tip may readily bedisinfected and kept in a pure condition while not in use. With thisobject in view I provide the toothpick proper with a cap adapted to holda sponge saturated with a suitable antiseptic and with which the tip ofthe toothpick comes in contact.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a sectional viewofmy improved toothpick as it appears in a closed condition. Fig. 2 is aside elevation as it appears ready for use.

Similar letters refer to similar parts in both views.

A represents the pointed stem or toothpick proper. While I prefer tomake this stem of a quill, any other suitable material or form ofpicking implement may be used. The lower portion of the stem isYprovided with a reversible plug B, adapted vto engage by frictionalcontact the open end portion of the cap or antiseptic-sponge holder C,hereinafter mentioned. In order to provide a perfect joint between theplug and the sponge-holder, I provide the central portion of the plugabove referred to with a liange B. The outer edge of this Iiange ispreferably roughened or serrated 'for the purpose of obtaining a goodgrip for the fingers in pulling out the plug.

Crepresents a barrel or tubular body closed at one end and adapted tohold a sponge D, of absorbent cotton,saturatecl with an antisepticliquid. Into this barrel the stem of the toothpick is adapted to beinserted, the point of the stem coming in contact with the sponge, thebarrel forming at the same timea casing for the stem.

In order to render the frictional engagement of the plug and the barrelmore perfect, the bore of the barrel is reduced at its open 5o end. Thisalso provides a shoulder C on the inner side ofthe barrel, which servesas a re-` taining-wall for the Asponge and prevents the same from beingaccidentally pulled out with the stem or pick. Y

In using the toothpick the'plug, with the stem, is withdrawn from thecap or barrel and reversed, the free or outeriend portion of the plugbeing inserted in the cap, which thus serves as a handle for thetoothpick or stem. 6o

I do not desire to limit myself to the particular construction hereinshown and described, as I am aware that some changes may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. y

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A toothpick comprising a casing open at one end and closed at the otherend, a medicated antiseptic substance contained in the ,7e

JOHAN ABRAHAM OHLSSON.

Witnesses:

C. J. LUNDsTRoM, HENRY CHENEY.

